La Liga Round-Up: Getafe Down Mallorca

Sat 13 Dec 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Valencia 2-1 Espanyol (report)
22:00 Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid (report)
Sun 14 Dec
17:00 Getafe 4-1 Mallorca
17:00 Recreativo 1-0 Osasuna
17:00 Valladolid 3-0 Deportivo
17:00 Malaga 2-0 Numancia
17:00 Almeria 0-1 Racing
17:00 Athletic 3-0 Sporting
19:00 Sevilla L-L Villarreal (live)
21:00 At. Madrid 0-0 Betis (live)

Getafe 3-1 RCD Mallorca

Getafe continued their fine run of recent form with a convincing victory over relegation-threatened Mallorca.

The Azulones went ahead 13 minutes in after Ikechukwu Uche seemed to be brought down by one of Josemi and German Lux; Cosmin Contra duly converted the spot kick.

Uche himself got on the scoresheet with a sumptuous effort on the half-hour mark, linking onto Eugen Polanski's through ball before chipping Lux from the edge of the area.

But seconds later Mallorca halved the deficit as Mario Suarez crossed for Aritz Aduriz; home 'keeper Pato Abbondanzieri made a fine near-post stop originally but he had no hope with the rebounded effort.

Despite being clearly shaken by that goal, the Azulones were to have the better of the second period, and it was no surprise when Manu netted the final goal with a tap-in after Contra's effort deflected into his path.

The icing on the cake was a tap-in from Jaime Gavilan right at the death after the superb Ikechukwu Uche had hit the post.

Recreativo Huelva 1-0 CA Osasuna

A dramatic late strike from Adrian rendered Osasuna four points adrift at the foot of the Primera while boosting Recreativo's survival hopes considerably.

It was a real hammer blow for the rojillos, given that they created the vast bulk of chances.

The midfielders were wont to waste opportunities from set pieces, but by far the worst (or best, depending on your viewpoint) miss of the afternoon came from Dady, who somehow shot wide from inside the area with an open goal awaiting him.

Not until the last ten minutes did Recre really come to life, but they were rewarded almost immediately when Adrian Colunga seized on a long ball before placing a lovely effort past Roberto.

Valladolid 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna

Valladolid kept up their fantastic home record with a great win over leaky Deportivo.

Jonathan Sesma made it 1-0 fifteen minutes in with a looping cross-cum-shot that evaded both Alberto Lopo and Daniel Aranzubia.

Ten minutes later Pedro Lopez netted from fully 45 yards with a wonderful shot that left Aranzubia flapping wildly at thin air as he struggled to get back onto his line.

The result was put beyond reasonable doubt ten minutes ater the break with another superb Pedro Leon effort: the finish wasn't world-class, Aranzubia again being at fault, but the midfielder's dribbling past two defenders was close to it.

From there the hosts took their feet off the pedal, the job already being done.

Malaga 2-0 CD Numancia

A late duo of goals from Malaga kept the boquerones top half and Numancia in trouble down near the relegation zone.

The first half offered little by way of excitement, although Miguel Angel came close for the hosts and Juan Pablo did well to prevent the opening goal from Nabil Baha right at the break.

Malaga were the superior side in the second period, although as full-time edged ever closer it seemed as though it was all for nought.

But when Mario Rubio felled Eliseu Dos Santos in the box, Apono kept his cool to make it 1-0 from the spot.

Right at the death Baha got on the scoresheet on the counter as Numancia's defence came forward, allowing him to go one-on-one with Juan Pablo and do the business.

UD Almeria 1-1 Racing Racing Club

Off-form Almeria rallied to pick up a welcome point at home to Racing, although they will feel that they should have won.

Mohammed Tchite had the best chance, but Almeria overall enjoyed the majority of the opportunities in the first period.

Nonetheless they went in to face the wrath of the manager 1-0 down as Ezequiel Garay rifled an absolutely wonderful indirect free-kick past the totally helpless Diego Alves.

The rojiblancos didn't let their spirit drop, though, and after a period of pressure they were able to equalise on the hour mark.

However it was poor defending from Tono and Jorge Goncalves failed to deal with a near-post corner; Pablo Piatti cut it back for Santiago Acasiete, who finished with ease through a crowded box.

Racing's task was made all the harder when Mehdi Lacen was sent off fifteen minutes from time, yet they ended with a point.

--Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com